Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations, [electronic ...

254 INFLUENCE OF SCRIPTUREagreeably to whicli tlic ^^ poor in sj)irit" arc to liavc heaven, the meek toinherit the earth?(See Hopkins.)1309. According to Taylor's Dicgesis, Constantino inquired of Sopatcr,the pagan priest, if he could absolve him from his sins, among "which wasthat of scaldingone of his wives to death, and executing unjustly one ofhis sons. Sopater informed him that it went beyond his power to obtainpardon for such sins. The Christian priests having agreed to procure thedesired absolution. Is supposed to have been one of the principal motiveswhich induced Constantino to embrace Christianity. Yet it was underthis wicked despot that the Council of Nice was held, which decided infavour of the divinity of Christ.1310. It is difficult to imagine that persons who actually believed in afuture state of rewards and punishments, and who of course must havebeen impressed with the comparativeinsignificance of any worldly enjoyments,would, for any earthly objects, have acted so much in a way todoom their souls to perpetual torture. It may therefore be inferred thatthe clerical papists who acted so wickedly were religious hypocrites, likethe Jewish Pharisees. I am strongly under the impression that the imperfectionof the proof of the truth of Scriptures, in the first place, andthe inadequate and disgusting representations respecting the future worldwhich they present, has always been productive of secret unbelief, andconsequent recklessness respecting the dictates of religion or morality.1311. Of the manner in which the clergy of the present day reasonthemselves into a belief, and expect to induce others to concur with them,the parodied quotation from the clerical Goliah of my woidd-he guide toheaven is an exemplification. It is only hy frowning doicn objections, orhogging the question, that they can get on. (1182.)1312. Said one among the most amiable of my clerical friends to me,when I adverted to the improbability that the Deity of this almost infiniteuniverse would select a few human animalcules in Judea as his especialfavourites :" Dr. Hare, you must not expect me to sit by paticntl}-,and see the pillars of my profession assailed." I am sorry, said I, if Ihave said any thing to give you pain. "How would you like the pillarsof your science to be attacked?'' I would defend them, not endeavourto silence the assailant ! But all criticisms which lead to the cure oferrors only benefit a science founded on truth.1313. The skepticism produced by reading the Bible is alleged, b}^ ArchbishopHughes, as the motive of his church for forbiddingthe reading ofit to the faithful. It was the reading of the Bible, when a minor, whichled to my unbelief in its authenticity. Bible societies may, without intendingit, do much to prepare the reasoning portion of mankind for theadoption of a more moral, consistent, and rational gospel.1314. That one pope at least was a materialist, the following quotationfrom Bishop Hopkins's work will prove